Aiguille du Midi: A Unique Ascent Experience (While Pregnant)
I’m really excited to share my experience at Aiguille du Midi while pregnant! But before I get into it, I want to make it clear that I’m not a doctor, so this isn’t medical advice. Every woman’s pregnancy is different, so it’s crucial to listen to your body and talk to your doctor first. If you’re unsure about going to high altitudes (2000 meters and above), trust your gut feeling too, and just don’t go!
Touristic Guru
When planning our trip, I couldn’t find many stories from other pregnant women who had been to Aiguille du Midi. That’s why I want to share my experience and help other expecting moms make informed decisions about their own adventures.
Is Aiguille du Midi altitude safe for pregnant women?
For those in good health without chronic conditions (such as severe colds, heart problems, diabetes, or altitude sickness) and whose pregnancy is proceeding without complications, a 1-2 hour visit to Aiguille du Midi should generally be safe for both mother and baby. Despite the reduced oxygen levels (approximately 60%) at 3842m altitude, as long as you take it easy and breathe normally, you shouldn’t feel much different on top taking the things above into consideration.
I must admit, I had my own reservations about going to such a high altitude. Despite searching extensively for articles and forums discussing this topic, I found limited information from pregnant women who had ventured to Aiguille du Midi. Additionally, I couldn’t find any firsthand experiences from women detailing how their pregnancies progressed afterward. Nevertheless, I chose to trust my instincts because I felt fantastic, and by the time I was 20 weeks along, my pregnancy had been progressing smoothly.
Acclimate Before Ascending to High Elevations
I’ll admit, I had a plan that helped me feel more confident about doing this. We spent 4 days in Chamonix, saving the trip to Aiguille du Midi for the last day. Why? Well, my idea was to get used to the altitude gradually. In the first two days, we explored Chamonix, walked a lot, and enjoyed the fresh mountain air. Since we’re from a place with less elevation, the difference in air here felt noticeable and helped me feel more prepared.
On the 3rd day, we decided to visit Brevent, another popular spot in Chamonix located at a 2525m. Taking this gradual approach over 3 days proved to be beneficial for me. As a pregnant woman, it allowed me to acclimatize before heading to the much higher altitude of nearly 4000 meters at Aiguille du Midi.
Finally, on the fourth day, we embarked on our journey to Aiguille du Midi by taking the cable car. It’s important to note that reaching the summit requires two cable car rides. After the first section, which reaches 2300 meters in altitude, we paused for a while before continuing to the top at 3842 meters. This midway point offers a lovely bar and terrace outside. Even if you decide not to go all the way to the top, stopping here is still a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the surroundings.
When I felt prepared, we took the second cable car and ascended to the summit. I remained comfortable throughout the journey, focusing on controlling my breathing, which I believe contributed to my comfort. When we got to the top, I didn’t rush. Even though climbing the stairs to the terrace gives the best view, I took it slow and breathed steadily. It’s important to go easy because rushing makes you need more oxygen, which can make you feel short of breath or dizzy. Also, remember that even if it’s only -10 degrees Celsius, the air is dry up there, so it feels much colder, more like -30 degrees Celsius. Make sure to dress warmly.
Overall, ascending to Aiguille du Midi isn’t forbidden for pregnant women. Even the staff at the information desk will offer guidance. They’ll allow you to board the cable car, which boosted my confidence. If it were truly risky, they wouldn’t take the chance with pregnant visitors. For instance, QC Therme in Chamonix doesn’t allow pregnant women to enter. But I’ll say it again, every pregnancy is different. So if you’re not sure how your body will handle the high altitude, it’s best to talk to your doctor.
If you’re not interested in high-altitude experiences, Chamonix offers plenty of other attractions for you to enjoy. Don’t forget to check out more of our favorite winter destinations.
P.S. At the top, there’s a souvenir shop where we bought a onesie for our baby girl. She’s already proven to be brave and strong, accompanying Mommy and Daddy to the top of Aiguille du Midi 🥰. After I got back home, I visited my doctor to make sure everything was okay. She’s growing strong, and I’m excited to meet her and dress her in the onesie we got her. It’s her first gift from us.
Are there any other moms-to-be out there who dared to do something adventurous during their pregnancy, like ascending to high altitudes? Drop a comment below and let me know the craziest thing you’ve done! By the way, we also explored Matterhorn during this trip, which was another thrilling high-altitude adventure. I’ll share more about it in my next post!
Until next time folks! T.G.